Skyshroud Condor MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Bird
Abilities	Flying
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	88
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Doug Chaffee

Key Takeaways

Instant speed play and flying ability provide strong tactical advantages and aerial control in matches.
Demands no untapped lands for play, potentially limiting responsiveness and requiring complete resource commitment.
Despite cost concerns, its versatility and combo potential make it a strategic addition to white-focused decks.

Text of card

Flying You cannot play Skyshroud Condor unless you have successfully cast another spell this turn.

Condor's flight augurs sleepless night. —Skyshroud proverb

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skyshroud Condor can be an essential piece in decks focusing on flying creatures. Its ability to stay aloft can help bypass ground defenses, potentially leading to card advantage as you exert control over the aerial combat zone.

Resource Acceleration: Although the condor itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can complement a strategy that aims for quick mobilization. With a low mana cost, it supports a swift tempo, keeping resources available for other crucial spells in your arsenal.

Instant Speed: The Skyshroud Condor’s ability to swoop into play at instant speed is a tactical advantage. It can surprise an opponent during their turn, acting as both a defender and an immediate threat. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the shifting tides of a match without missing a beat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skyshroud Condor requires you to control no untapped lands to play, forcing you to fully tap out and potentially miss out on reactive plays or bluffs during your opponent’s turn.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card that costs one white mana, it slots into decks that are heavily or solely invested in white, potentially limiting its cross-deck playability compared to more flexible cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 flyer, Skyshroud Condor can be outclassed by other creatures in the mana efficiency department, offering less impact on the board relative to its mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Skyshroud Condor’s status as a flying creature makes it a suitable fit for decks aiming to outmaneuver ground-based defenses. The simplicity of its evasion tactic allows for strategic plays across various game situations.

Combo Potential: With its potential to take to the skies immediately if played after another creature that turn, Skyshroud Condor pairs well with effects that capitalize on the presence of flying creatures or those that benefit from summoning multiple creatures in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: Against opponents that rely heavily on ground forces, Skyshroud Condor shines by providing consistent aerial pressure. Particularly in a meta where evasive creatures can turn the tide, this card can serve as a reliable addition to decks that need to bypass frontline blockers.

How to beat

Skyshroud Condor presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its distinctive flying ability in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This allows it to soar over ground-bound creatures unimpeded, creating an advantage for aerial offense. To tackle this feathery foe, focusing on removal spells that can target creatures in the air is key. Many decks include targeted spells like Fatal Push, which can easily dispatch the Condor provided its conditions are met.

Moreover, utilizing creatures with reach or ones that can block flying creatures can provide a solid line of defense against the airborne threat. Especially, cards like Giant Spider not only create a defensive barricade but also offer the opportunity to counter-attack. In addition, investing in enchantments or artifacts that limit or negate the abilities of flying creatures could systematically diminish the Condor’s tactical value.

Strategically, staying abreast of your opponent’s resources and playing patiently can force the Skyshroud Condor player to commit to a less optimal course of action or overextend. While Skyshroud Condor can pose a significant threat in the right circumstances, a well-prepared defense and strategic spell casting can ensure its impact is neutralized in the game.

Exploring Skyshroud Condor’s Niche

Discover the Unique Charms of the Skyshroud Condor in MTG

Amongst the plethora of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Skyshroud Condor emerges with a characteristic that renders it remarkable. In a direct comparison, the most obvious counterpart to Skyshroud Condor is Storm Crow. Both creatures boast two power points, but Storm Crow maintains a consistent place in the game with its humble two mana cost. On the other hand, Skyshroud Condor offers more flexibility with a condition that allows for a potentially earlier deployment if the opponent has no untapped lands.

Cards like Skyshroud Condor

Skyshroud Condor shares traits with creatures like Welkin Tern and Mistral Charger. All are two-power fliers, but the Condor stands out with its conditional playability, as it only swoops onto the battlefield if the adversary’s lands are all tapped. In contrast, Welkin Tern restricts its assault to only creatures with flying, while Mistral Charger imposes no limitations, granting it an advantage in versatility over both. The nuanced differences between Skyshroud Condor and its kindred fliers highlight its unique strategic niche within the broader family of airborne MTG creatures.

Cards similar to Skyshroud Condor by color, type and mana cost

Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions

Kaijin of the Vanishing Touch - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skyshroud Condor MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Skyshroud Condor and other MTG cards: